Jeffrey Guan Vows to Return After Losing Vision in One Eye Due to Golf Accident

Australian golfer Jeffrey Guan, who recently made his PGA Tour debut, faced a life-altering incident that has left him blind in one eye. Just a week after his debut, the 20-year-old was struck in the face by a golf ball during a pro-am tournament at Catalina Golf Club in New South Wales.

The Accident

Guan recounted the freak accident on social media, explaining that after taking a shot, he turned toward his golf cart to store his club. At that moment, he was hit by an errant ball. “The instant ringing and pain rushed to my head, and I dropped to the ground. Voices sounded pretty muffled, and the next thing I knew, I was in an ambulance being transported to a hospital,” he stated in an Instagram post.

Following the incident, Guan was airlifted to Canberra for surgery on his eye, enduring what he described as “unbearable pain” and anxiety about his future in golf. He underwent a second surgery in Sydney and spent two weeks in intensive care to stabilize his condition. Doctors informed him that he suffered multiple fractures to his eye socket and had “lost vision completely” in his left eye. The PGA of Australia has confirmed that this loss of vision is permanent.

Coping with the Injury

During his hospital stay, Guan grappled with distressing thoughts about his injury and future in the sport. He expressed feelings of depression and anger over the situation. However, in his statement, he conveyed gratitude for the support he received and expressed determination to return to the sport he loves. “These four weeks have been the toughest of my life, but I am stronger mentally and will be ready to conquer any obstacle in the future,” he declared.

Community Support and Fundraising

To assist with Guan’s recovery and alleviate financial burdens, an online fundraiser has been established. The campaign aims to provide him with “peace of mind” as he embarks on his journey back to playing golf at an elite level. So far, the fundraiser has raised over 9,000 Australian dollars (approximately $5,900), with a goal of 500,000 Australian dollars (around $328,000).

Guan is a two-time junior national champion in Australia and had recently competed in the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship, though he did not make the cut.